Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh (2025) Movie Movies4u

Kesari Chapter 2 brings together Akshay Kumar and R. Madhavan in a powerful historical courtroom drama. Directed by Karan Singh Tyagi and produced by Dharma Productions, this spiritual sequel takes a completely different approach from the 2019 action-packed original.

Film Title:Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh
Main Cast:R. Madhavan, Akshay Kumar, Ananya Panday
Film Duration:2h 15m
Category:Drama, History
Primary Star:Akshay Kumar
Studio:Prudent Village, Cape Of Good Films
Premiere Date:April 17, 2025
Filmmaker:Karan Singh Tyagi
Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh

The film focuses on C. Sankaran Nair, the brave lawyer who fought for justice after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Unlike typical Bollywood films, this courtroom drama explores themes of truth, justice, and courage during British colonial rule.

Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh Movie Actors

ActorCharacter
Ananya PandayDilreet Gill
Mark BenningtonMichael O’Dwyer
Alexx O’Nell
Simon Paisley DayGeneral Reginald Dyer
Rohan VermaJaan-Nisar-Akhtar
Amit Sial
R. MadhavanNeville McKinley
Sammy Jonas HeaneyHarold Laksi
Regina Cassandra
Akshay KumarChettur Sankaran Nair
Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh
Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh
Kesari Chapter 2: The Untold Story of Jallianwala Bagh

Plot and Story

The story follows Sankaran Nair’s legal battle against the British colonial system. The film successfully blends historical events with gripping courtroom drama, keeping viewers engaged throughout its 2 hours and 13 minutes runtime.

Director Karan Singh Tyagi handled the sensitive historical material with care and precision. The screenplay balances emotional weight with procedural courtroom elements, making complex legal arguments accessible to general audiences.

I found the character development particularly strong, especially how it shows Nair’s transformation from a practicing lawyer to a crusader for justice. The film humanizes historical events effectively without losing dramatic tension.

Cast Performance

Akshay Kumar delivers one of his most nuanced performances as C. Sankaran Nair. He moves away from his typical action-hero image, embracing the intellectual and emotional demands of the character with remarkable skill.

R. Madhavan brings his characteristic intensity to create perfect balance with Kumar’s performance. His screen presence and dialogue delivery significantly enhance the film’s dramatic impact, particularly during crucial confrontational scenes.

Ananya Panday takes on a more serious role, demonstrating noticeable growth as an actress. While her screen time is limited, she contributes meaningfully to the narrative progression.

Direction and Technical Aspects

The direction maintains careful balance between historical accuracy and cinematic storytelling. The cinematography and production design successfully recreate the colonial era atmosphere with attention to period details.

Courtroom sequences are particularly well-crafted, enhancing the authenticity of legal proceedings. The editing maintains steady pace while allowing dramatic moments to breathe naturally.

The soundtrack complements the film’s serious tone without overwhelming dramatic moments. Background music enhances emotional impact while maintaining appropriate dignity for sensitive historical content.

Reviews and Ratings

Bollywood Hungama rated the film 3.5/5, calling it a hard-hitting courtroom drama that works due to performances and treatment. The film achieved an impressive 8.2 rating on IMDb and cracked the IMDb top 250 Indian movies list.

Rotten Tomatoes showed 50% positive reviews from critics. While critics had mixed reactions, audience response was significantly more positive, with many calling it a must watch and one of the best movies in 2025.

I believe the critical response reflects the inherent challenges of adapting sensitive historical material for commercial cinema. However, the strong audience appreciation indicates successful storytelling execution.

Box Office Success

The film achieved impressive commercial success with ₹92.53 Cr India collection and ₹144.62 Cr worldwide collection. These numbers represent significant achievement for a courtroom drama targeting serious subject matter.

After recent box office disappointments, this success provided Akshay Kumar with much-needed commercial validation. The strong opening demonstrated audience appetite for quality historical content when executed properly.

What I Liked

The film’s commitment to historical authenticity while maintaining commercial appeal impressed me most. Lead actor performances provide strong emotional connections that help audiences relate to historical events effectively.

Courtroom drama elements are expertly executed, creating genuine tension even when historical outcomes are predetermined. The serious tone maintains appropriate respect for sensitive subject matter throughout.

Areas for Improvement

Pacing issues occasionally slow down the narrative, particularly during repetitive legal proceedings. Some courtroom sequences could have been trimmed without losing narrative impact or dramatic effectiveness.

While the film succeeds as entertainment, it sometimes prioritizes dramatic effect over complete historical accuracy. The serious tone, though appropriate, might limit appeal to audiences seeking lighter entertainment options.

International cast integration occasionally creates uneven performance levels that can momentarily distract from the central narrative flow.

Final Thoughts

Kesari Chapter 2 represents a commendable step forward in Bollywood’s evolution toward sophisticated historical filmmaking. The film successfully transforms complex historical and legal material into accessible cinema while respecting its serious subject matter.

I found it to be a testament to Indian cinema’s potential for tackling difficult historical subjects with both commercial viability and artistic integrity. While not perfect in balancing entertainment with education, it succeeds in creating meaningful dialogue about justice and truth.

For viewers interested in historical dramas, courtroom thrillers, or strong performances, Kesari Chapter 2 offers compelling viewing that both entertains and educates. The commercial success suggests audiences are ready for more sophisticated historical narratives in Indian cinema.

Rating: 3.5/5

The film stands as proof that serious cinema can achieve both critical recognition and commercial success when executed with the right combination of talent, research, and storytelling skill.